Since being moved to the bullpen Aug. 12, Cashner has allowed just one run in 11 innings (0.82 ERA) over seven appearances, perhaps making himself marketable as a reliever when he hits free agency in the offseason. He told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com that transitioning to reliever is something he's considered even before he was traded to Boston and moved to the bullpen. "Before I came to the bullpen here it was already on my radar for next year," Cashner said Tuesday. "So it's not like it was anything crazy. It was something that I've talked about just because the longevity (as a reliever) is longer if you want to continue to pitch." If Cashner continues to pitch well out of Boston's bullpen, teams could be interested in him as a reliever in 2020.

Cashner was called on in the 12th inning, and the 32-year-old delivered exactly what the Red Sox needed. A Mookie Betts solo shot in the 15th inning would provide the winning run. Friday's effort marks the longest appearance for Cashner since he moved to the bullpen in mid-August. He's allowed just one run on four hits and four walks over 10 innings since the change of roles. For the year, the right-hander owns a 4.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 29 appearances (23 starts) between Boston and Baltimore.

Brandon Workman was unable to preserve the win in the ninth inning, so the Red Sox needed Cashner for the 10th. Jackie Bradley's home run in the top half of the inning created the save opportunity for Cashner, who delivered the first save of his career. His arm was fresh after throwing just 1.2 innings in an abbreviated start Sunday.

The Red Sox don't need a fifth starter for the rest of August thanks to a flurry of well-placed off days, so the team will proceed with a four-man rotation for the time being while Cashner shifts to a relief role. The veteran right-hander has struggled to a brutal 8.31 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 21:17 K:BB in 30.1 innings (six starts) since being acquired by the Red Sox at the beginning of the second half, but the hope is that he'll be more effective in shorter stints.